HOW TO BE GREAT PERSONALITY

What is Personality?

The personality is the typical pattern of thinking, feeling, and behaviours that make a person unique.

When we say that someone has a "good personality" we mean that they are like able, interesting and pleasant to be with.

Everyone wants to be attractive to others. To that end, having a good personality is vital - probably even more so than good looks.

In fact, approximately 85 percent of your success and happiness will be a result of how well you interact with others. Ultimately, it is your personality that determines whether people are attracted to, or shy away from you.

While we can only enhance our looks to a certain extent, we have the ability to improve the personality as much as we want. We can develop or integrate into our personalities any trait we deem fitting and agreeable.

Honesty

1.                 

Results form a November 2014 Pew Research Centre Survey showed that 84 percent of the 1,835 respondents considered honesty the most essential personality trait for any leader.

Honest leaders inspire not just through words but through actions. They're the kind of leaders who build their teams from the ground up. They understand that effective leadership is built on trust, and that honesty in leadership generates a stronger team dynamic. Honest interactions with employees build the kind of relationships that make success in the workplace attainable for the entire team -- not just the boss.

Openness

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In the world of personality evaluation, openness is one of the Big Five dimensions of personality that psychologists use to evaluate individuals. It refers to how open an individual is to new experiences and how imaginative and insightful an individual can be. 

 Decisiveness

Leaders make decisions. 

Without fail, leaders are regularly called on to make choices that impact both the organisation and the people they lead. People want to follow a person who weighs all the options and, as Zenger and Folk man discovered in their research, “Display fearless loyalty to doing what’s right for the organisation.” In other words, good leaders make important decisions based on what’s best for the organisation -- and they make them confidently.

Be a good listener

“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.”  True it is. Being a good listener may not seem like but it is an important step towards achieving a more likable personality. When somebody talks to you, listen with interest and give them all the attention and importance. Maintain a direct eye contact and do not get distracted by the surroundings. It will help you in knowing a better deal about people and attending them in a better way.

Work on your Body Language

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Body language is just as important for your personality as your verbal communication skills. It tells a lot about yourself and helps people in making accurate conjectures about you. Everything including the way you walk, sit, talk or eat leaves an impact over the people around you and having a correct body language can do wonders for your personality. Walk in an upright position with shoulders straight. Do not droop. Sit in a relaxed posture and make always eye contact while speaking

Be yourself

1.                

Though one can always look up to other people to take an inspiration from, but you should still remain your own unique self. Each one of us is different, we have our own sets of skills and flaws and trying to be somebody else gets you nowhere and just simply backfires. Trying too hard to fit in a new group or wanting to belong should never take your authenticity and singularity away. Never try moulding into another person but instead work on being the best version of yourself.

Be confident

1.                        

Yes, that’s the key. Being confident about who you are and what you are doing is the most important tip for personality development. Never doubt your capabilities and if there is something you need to work upon then put in all the effort so you can come over your fears and gain confidence. Read success stories or surround yourself with motivational thoughts or “encouragements” which can boost up your self esteem and help you in attaining a charming personality. Just everything you do, have faith in yourself and put in your hard work. There can be nothing more appealing in your personality than an incredible confidence.

Read more often and develop new interests

A man of very few interests has very little to talk about. But if you are well informed about things and cultivate a number of interests, more people tend to like you. You can strike up interesting conversations instead of appearing to be dull and monotonous. When you meet new people you do not have to think about what to say as you can share your knowledge or your interests and get them indulged in conversation.

        
        HOW TO MOTIVATE YOURSELF

To be seen as a leader at work, you’ll need the drive to consistently deliver superior results, the energy reserves to give a your colleagues a boost when they have a tough day , and the mental agility to be at the top of your game when you interact with senior leaders—so that they know you’re up for bigger challenges.

But, when you f

ace the same ups and downs as everyone else in the office, it’s easier said than done. So what can be done to motivate the motivator?

One thing’s for sure: There’s no shortage of advice columns filled with tips that are less than realistic and far from sustainable. Researchers have found that an afternoon nap improves productivity, for example, but unless you work in a mattress showroom, that’s not exactly realistic. Neither is it especially helpful to know that athletes perform best after 10 hours of sleep or that Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer gets so much done because she needs only four hours of sleep. Let’s be honest: Not many of us are able to pull off either extreme.

So for the rest of us—those who want to maintain a high performance and be a role model to others without resorting to caffeine pills, cattle prods, and other unsustainable gimmicks—here are five research-backed ways to keep yourself at peak performance. 

Arrive at Work in a Good Mood

Researchers Nancy Rothbard and Steffanie Wilk found that call center representatives in a Fortune 500 company who started the day in a good mood delivered superior results and felt more positive after their calls.Their colleagues who arrived in a bad mood , on the other hand, suffered a dip in productivity of up to 10%.

A positive mood lifts your brain’s dopamine levels, resulting in improved cognitive performance. So, build a mood-lifter into your commute, whether it’s listening to music, calling a friend for a virtual coffee chat, watching an uplifting TED talk, or catching a highlight from your favorite late night show, and enjoy the resulting boost in brainpower as you arrive at your desk. 

Manage Your Energy, Not Your Time

When McKinsey & Company studied the characteristics that drive and sustain top female leaders , energy management was discovered to be a common element of their success. Those leaders understood exactly what drained and sustained them, and I recommend you do the same.

Keep a log of your energetic peaks and valleys for at least a week, and from those insights, build a new routine. By paying close attention, you may learn to avoid the carb-heavy lunches that make you sleepy by 2 PM or to connect with a chatty team member early in the day , when you still have the energy to wrangle his or her whimsy. 

Expand Your Capacity Like Athletes

Once you know your energy sources, you can “expand your capacity like elite athletes do,” a strategy advised by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz in The Power of Full Engagement . They recommend approaching a typical workday like an interval training workout by arranging tasks into bursts of intense activity interspersed with breaks or lower-intensity activities.

What interval works best? K. Anders Ericsson, a psychology professor at Florida State University, found that high performing professionals—like elite athletes and musicians—maximize their performance with 90-minute bursts of activity. So, start there: Work, for example, on that PowerPoint presentation for a frenzied 90 minutes, then shake things up with a stretch break or walking meeting . 

Be an Energizer

And once you have all that energy, don’t be stingy with it. Sharing it with others will motivate your team and boost your performance, too. According to The Hidden Power of Social Networks by Rob Cross and Andrew Parker, people who energize others are much higher performers, and they’re more likely to be heard and to have their ideas acted upon.

Just remember, being an energizer is a more subtle skill than being a cheerleading extrovert. Cross and Parker note that “energizers are not entertainers, or even necessarily very charismatic or intense. Rather, they bring themselves fully into an interaction.”

How exactly do you do that? Communications analytics company Quantified Impressions reported that simply making eye contact establishes an emotional connection with the person you’re speaking with. Want someone to know he or she has your undivided attention ? Put away your cell phone, lean toward him or her, and make eye contact. 

 Understand Your Goal Orientation

According to the article “ A Social-Cognitive Approach to Motivation and Personality ” by Carol Dweck and Ellen Leggett, there are two types of goal orientation. People with mastery orientation are motivated by the challenge of learning something new, while people with performance orientation do better when striving for excellence by using their existing skills.

For example, a mastery-oriented individual who is tasked with improving her help desk metrics might motivate herself with a goal to re-engineer the process for incoming requests and achieve that goal by delving into the latest research and speaking to experts in other organizations. Someone who is performance-oriented, on the other hand, would do better with a goal of lifting metrics 15% above last quarter, working toward that by reviewing individual metrics from prior months, identifying when he performed at his peak, and then replicating those successes while striving to push the bar higher.

Which type are you? Whichever it is, tailor your goals and how you achieve them to suit the style that best motivates you. 

Once you’ve found your personal formula for self-motivation and rejuvenation, you’ll be better prepared to pay it forward and go beyond being a solo star performer who motivates only him or herself. 

HABITS  TO KEEP YOURSELF HEALTHY              THROUGHOUT LIFETIME

You Have the Power to Change

Whether you are newly diagnosed with a mood disorder or have been managing depression or bipolar illness for years, you can benefit from a healthy lifestyle. While you cannot change your diagnosis, you can change aspects of your life to manage or lessen your symptoms and improve the quality of your life.  

When you were first diagnosed with a mood disorder, you may have felt powerless or afraid. This page will suggest ways to empower yourself and play an active role in the way you live day-to-day with your illness. 

Physical Well-Being

Healthy sleeping, eating, and physical activity habits do not have to be complicated, depriving, or uncomfortable, and can make a big difference in the way you feel. Many people have found that simple changes, such as eliminating caffeine or taking walks regularly, have helped stabilise their moods. Though symptoms of your mood disorder may disrupt sleeping, eating, or physical activity, making things as consistent as possible, especially sleeping, can help keep your symptoms from worsening. Regular habits can also help you spot the beginning of a manic or depressive episode more quickly.  

     Sleep

Lack of sleep or too much sleep can worsen moods. Keep a regular sleep schedule whenever possible. Set an alarm if necessary, and try to get up at the same time every morning, even on weekends, and go to sleep around the same time every night. If you tend to have insomnia, try avoiding naps during the day, since they can interfere with nighttime sleep.  

Adopt bedtime rituals or ways that you can slowly wind down from your day and ease yourself into bed.  Try using relaxation exercises to get to sleep. 

Avoid over-the-counter sleep medicines, unless your doctor has recommended them and is monitoring your use of them. 

Avoid caffeine, especially near the end of the day. Check ingredients. Certain sodas and teas can contain as much caffeine as a cup of coffee.  Large meals may keep you awake; light snacks may help you sleep (milk and turkey are often helpful). 

Changing the time of day you take your medication may help you sleep. Discuss your medication, its side effects, dosage, and time of day taken with your doctor. 

If at all possible, avoid late evening or overnight shift work. If you must work a late shift, try to work the same hours every night, so you are asleep at the same time and for the same amount of time each day. 

If you wake up early in the morning and are unable to get back to sleep, it may be helpful to get out of bed and do a quiet activity like reading. 

If you find yourself needing significantly more or less sleep than usual, you may be experiencing symptoms of depression or mania. Be aware of any changes in your sleep patterns and discuss them with your doctor or mental health professional. 

Eating Right

                          

Eat a variety of foods daily to get the energy, protein, vitamins, minerals, and fibre you need. Include plenty of vegetables and fruits (preferably raw) and whole grains.   

Moderate your intake of fat, cholesterol, sugars, and salt. 

Drink at least 8 glasses (64 oz.) of water per day, or more if you exercise. If you are taking certain types of medication, you may require even more water. Check with your doctor or pharmacist. 

Moderate your intake of alcohol and caffeine, or better yet, avoid them completely. 

Avoid crash diets that deprive you of food or of one or more food groups. Instead of radical diets, use a combination of regular physical activity and smaller portions at mealtimes if you are concerned about your weight. 

Be aware of changes in your appetite. Loss of appetite or overeating may be symptoms of depression. Discuss any changes with your doctor. 

Don’t skip meals, even if your energy and appetite are low. 

If you tend to overeat, look for stresses or triggers that may cause overeating. Discuss ways to avoid or cope with these triggers with your doctor or therapist. It may be useful to write down how you are feeling or what has been happening at the time you overeat to help determine your triggers. 

Have food on hand that is healthy, quick, and easy to eat, such as fresh fruit, yogurt, whole grain bread, crackers, or bagels for times when you are in a hurry or don’t feel like preparing a meal. Try to schedule regular grocery shopping trips so you don’t have to eat fast food or junk food just because you are hungry.

Exercise

Choose a method of physical activity that you enjoy—one that will not feel like a chore. You may want to choose several activities so you have variety.  

Focus on making the experience as pleasant as possible. For example, if you feel self-conscious exercising in a gym or outdoors, begin by exercising at home. If you feel you need extra motivation or company, try exercising with a friend or family member. 

Consult your doctor before beginning any exercise regimen. Do not choose a method of exercise that puts your health at risk. Consider all of the medications you are taking and be sure that factors such as increased heart rate and sweating will not cause problems with your medication. You may need to take special precautions when you exercise, such as drinking extra water. 

Start slowly and work up to a healthy frequency. Pace yourself so you don’t run out of energy and become discouraged early. 

Don’t ignore your own physical limitations or exercise to the point of pain. 

A good exercise goal to work toward is 30 minutes per day, 3 times per week. 

Work more physical activity into your daily routine. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, get off the bus before your stop and walk an extra block, or park at the far end of the parking lot.   

Treatment

A good treatment plan is the foundation of a healthy lifestyle. Though it may take time to adjust to medication and therapy, they are your best defences against symptom recurrence. Everyone has a different physical and emotional makeup, so it often takes time and patience for you and your doctor or mental health professional to find the right treatment strategy for you. It is most important that you communicate your needs to your health care providers and work with them to discover the best possible approach to symptom management. Your loved ones can play an important role in your treatment plan, too. You can help them to help you by making them aware of your medication needs and having them watch for signs of symptom recurrence.   

Your Health Care Provider

Talk with your doctor about your medication and any side effects you may be experiencing. It may be helpful to write down your questions and bring your list with you to your appointment. Take notes on what your doctor tells you.   

If you have trouble talking about particular concerns, you may want to bring a trusted friend or family member to the appointment with you or request that your appointment begin in the doctor’s office rather than the examination room. If you need extra time to discuss particular concerns, let the doctor’s office know when you make your appointment. If questions arise after your appointment and your doctor is unable to speak with you, see if a nurse is available to address your concerns. 

If you are dissatisfied with your health care provider or the treatment plan you have been given, talk with him or her about it. If your difficulties cannot be resolved, seek another health care provider. For interpersonal or talk therapy, choose a therapist who treats you with respect, listens to you, recognises your needs, and is skilled in treating people with mood disorders.  

Medication

Learn the facts about medication from your doctor, pharmacist, and DB SA. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to give you the detailed written materials that are packaged with your medication. DB SA also publishes several brochures describing the various treatment options. Know what side effects to expect and what to do if these side effects interfere with your daily activities. Talk to your doctor about ways to minimise any uncomfortable side effects. If you have particularly troublesome side effects, see if other treatment plans are available.

Never stop taking medication or alter your dosage without talking to your doctor first. Never augment your medication with herbal or over-the-counter remedies without first checking with your doctor.  

Know what time(s) of day to take your medication(s) and take them at the same time every day. If you have trouble remembering, use a wristwatch with an alarm or place a reminder note in a highly visible place.  

Find out if there are any specific foods or activities you need to avoid. Some medications may reach high levels in the body if you become dehydrated or sweat excessively. Others may react with certain foods or alcohol or may cause you to be sensitive to sun or light.  

Support and Symptom Monitoring

Keep track of your symptoms using a journal or DBSA’s mood calendar mentioned above in the Reducing Stress section. Learn to recognise patterns and combinations of symptoms that may indicate that you are or may soon be having a manic or depressive episode. Inform your health care provider and loved ones when you feel your symptoms increasing and ask them to observe your behaviour.  

If you are experiencing symptoms of mania or hypo mania, have someone else hold on to your credit cards, bank documents, and car keys. Avoid shopping, gambling, or drinking, and try to maintain a regular sleep schedule. Your doctor may prescribe additional medication.  

If you are experiencing symptoms of depression, try to avoid isolation by scheduling brief, manageable meetings or outings with others. Adjust your activity schedule so that you are not overwhelmed, but have small things to do each day. Have loved ones lock away or remove anything you might use to harm yourself.  

Write down a plan of action to follow if your symptoms become severe and you are unable to take part in day-to-day activities. Include the names of your health care providers, medications you would and would not prefer to be given, facilities where you would and would not prefer to be treated, and other important information, such as medication allergies. Also include necessary insurance information such as provider, group number, and phone number.  

Write down directions for care of your children and/or pets, as well as a way to notify your employer and the things to tell him or her in the event that you are unable to function or need to be hospitalised.  

 

  HOW TO DEAL WITH DEPRESSION

Major depression is one of the most debilitating illnesses affecting Americans today. It can affect your ability to function, think, and feel. More specifically, it is a mood problem noted by pervasive sadness, disappointment, and hopelessness. The depressed person usually has difficulty finding pleasure in life, has feelings of intense loneliness, and has limited energy to engage in life activities. Most people have periods when they feel discouraged about their circumstances. However, true depression goes deeper by lasting longer and impacting one’s whole existence.

People dealing with depression often wish for a better day, but have lost hope that it will come. They do not know how to ‘feel’ better. Those suffering from depression may experience extreme mood fluctuations or a desire to withdraw from interactions with others. Frustrated with the inability to snap out of it, they become more discouraged. In some cases, depression can last for extended periods of time – months or even years. One way to deal with depression is to determine the severity of the experience, understand the influences that prompted its onset, and securing treatment options.

What Causes Depression?

Depression can be prompted by a variety of factors. Some episodes of depression are situation-induced. For example, the death of a loved one, the loss of one’s job, or the disappointment of failed efforts to get into graduate school can all initiate an episode of depression. When someone can discern the source of depression, the outlook is more favourable. Specific measures can be incorporated to deal with the pain. However, when no source is clear, the depression may worsen due to lack of treatment.

In addition to situational factors, there are other stresses that prompt depression. Chemical imbalances, personality factors, drug and alcohol use, physical illness, and inadequate dietary practises can influence the onset of depression. Given that so many influences can impact one’s mental health, it is important to monitor one’s lifestyle and health practises

Teenager's Guide to Depression

The teenage years can be tough, and it’s perfectly normal to feel sad or irritable every now and then. But if these feelings don’t go away or become so intense that you can’t handle them, you may be suffering from depression. The good news is that you don’t have to feel this way. Help is available—and you have more power over your mood than you think. There are many things you can do to start feeling better today.

What does teen depression look and feel like?

When you’re depressed, it can feel like no one understands. But depression is far more common in teens than you may think. You are not alone and your depression is not a hopeless case. Even though it can feel like depression will never lift, it eventually will—and with proper treatment and healthy choices, that day can come even sooner.

Signs and symptoms of teen depression

It's hard to put into words how depression feels, and people experience it differently. There are, however, some common problems and symptoms that teens with depression experience.

• You constantly feel irritable, sad, or angry.
• Nothing seems fun anymore, and you just don't see the point of trying.
• You feel bad about yourself—worthless, guilty, or just "wrong" in some way
• You sleep too much or not enough.
• You have frequent, unexplained headaches or other physical problems.
• Anything and everything makes you cry.
• You’ve gained or lost weight without consciously trying to.
• You just can’t concentrate. Your grades may be plummeting because of it.
• You feel helpless and hopeless.
• You’re thinking about death or suicide. (If this is true, talk to someone right away!)

The first step to feeling better: Talk to an adult you trust

Depression is not your fault, and you didn’t do anything to cause it. However, you do have some control over feeling better. The first step is asking for help.

Talking to your parents about depression

It may seem like there’s no way your parents will be able to help, especially if they are always nagging you or getting angry about your behaviour. The truth is, parents hate to see their kids hurting. They may feel frustrated because they don’t understand what is going on with you or know how to help.

If your parents are abusive in any way, or if they have problems of their own that makes it difficult for them to take care of you, find another adult you trust (such as a relative, teacher, counsellor, or coach). This person can either help you approach your parents, or direct you toward the support you need. If you truly don’t have anyone you can talk to, refer to the resources below and at the end of this article. There are many hot lines, services, and support groups that can help.

No matter what, talk to someone, especially if you are having any thoughts of harming yourself or others. Asking for help is the bravest thing you can do, and the first step on your way to feeling better.

The importance of accepting and sharing your feelings

It can be hard to open up about how you’re feeling—especially when you’re feeling depressed, hopeless, ashamed, or worthless. It’s important to remember that many people struggle with feelings like these at one time or another. They don’t mean you’re weak, fundamentally flawed, or no good. Accepting your feelings and opening up about them with someone you trust will help you feel less alone.

No matter what it feels like, people love and care about you, and if you can muster the courage to talk about your depression, it can—and will—be resolved. Some people think that talking about sad feelings will make them worse, but the opposite is almost always true. It is very helpful to share your worries with someone who will listen and care. They don't need to be able to "fix" you; they just need to be good listeners.

Try not to isolate yourself—it makes depression worse

When you’re depressed, you may not feel like seeing anybody or doing anything. Just getting out of bed in the morning can be difficult, but isolating yourself only makes depression worse. Make it a point to stay social, even if that’s the last thing you want to do. As you get out into the world, you may find yourself feeling better.

Spend time with friends who make you feel good—especially those who are active, upbeat, and understanding. Avoid hanging out with those who abuse drugs or alcohol, get you into trouble, or who make you feel insecure.

Cut back on on line time. Think about how you feel after spending hours upon hours playing videos games or checking social media. Not too great, right? Spending too much time on line is not good for your mental health. Even if you’re interacting with friends, it’s no replacement for in-person contact. So be smart about your on line time. There’s a time and place for it–just don’t let it take over your life.

Get involved in activities you enjoy (or used to). Getting involved in extracurricular activities may be the last thing you feel like doing when you’re depressed, but you’ll feel better if you do. Choose something you’ve enjoyed in the past, whether it be a sport, an art, dance or music class, or an after-school club. You might not feel motivated at first, but as you start to participate again, your mood and enthusiasm will begin to lift.

Volunteer. Doing things for others is a powerful antidepressant and happiness booster. Volunteering for a cause you believe in can help you feel reconnected to others and the world, and give you the satisfaction of knowing you’re making a difference.

To boost mood, keep your body healthy

Making healthy lifestyle choices can do wonders for your mood. Things like eating right, getting regular exercise, and being smart about alcohol and drugs have been shown to make a huge difference when it comes to depression.

Get moving! Ever heard of a "runners high"? You actually get a rush of endorphins from exercising, which makes you feel instantly happier. Physical activity can be as effective as medications or therapy for depression, so get involved in sports, ride your bike, or take a dance class. Any activity helps! If you’re not feeling up to much, start with a short daily walk, and build from there.

Be smart about what you eat. An improper diet can make you feel sluggish and tired, which worsens depression symptoms. Junk food and sugary snacks are the worst culprits! They may give you a quick boost, but they'll leave you feeling worse in the long run. Make sure you’re feeding your mind with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Talk to your parents, doctor or school nurse about how to ensure your diet is adequately nutritious.

Avoid alcohol and drugs. You may be tempted to drink or use drugs in an effort to escape from your feelings and get a "mood boost," even if just for a short time. However, substance use can not only make depression worse, but can cause you to become depressed in the first place. Alcohol and drug use can also increase suicidal feelings. In short, drinking and taking drugs will make you feel worse—not better—in the long run. If you’re addicted to alcohol or drugs, seek help. You will need special treatment for your substance problem on top of whatever treatment you’re receiving for your depression.

Ask for help if you're stressed

Stress and worry can take a big toll, even leading to depression. Talk to a teacher or school counsellor if exams or classes seem overwhelming. Likewise, if you have a health concern you feel you can’t talk to your parents about—such as a pregnancy scare or drug problem—seek medical attention at a clinic or see a doctor. A health professional can help you approach your parents (if that is required) and guide you toward appropriate treatment.

If you’re dealing with relationship, friendship, or family problems, talk to an adult you trust. Your school may have a counsellor you can go to for help, or you may want to ask your parents to make an appointment for you to see a therapist.

Tips for helping a depressed friend

Depressed teens typically rely on their friends more than their parents or other adults in their lives, so you may find yourself in the position of being the first—or only—person that they talk to about their feelings. While this might seem like a huge responsibility, there are many things you can do to help.

Get your friend to talk to you. Starting a conversation about depression can be daunting, but you can say something simple: "You seem like you are really down, and not yourself. I really want to help you. Is there anything I can do?"

Know that your friend doesn’t expect you to have the answers. Your friend probably just needs someone to listen and be supportive. By listening and responding in a non-judgemental and reassuring manner, you are helping in a major way.

Encourage your friend to get help. Urge your depressed friend to talk to a parent, teacher, or counsellor. It might be scary for your friend to admit to an authority figure that there is a problem. Having you there might help, so offer to go along for support.

Stick with your friend through the hard times. Depression can make people do and say things that are hurtful or strange. But your friend is going through a very difficult time, so try not to take it personally. Once your friend gets help, he or she will go back to being the person you know and love. In the meantime, make sure you have other friends or family taking care of you. Your feelings are important and need to be respected, too.

Speak up if your friend is suicidal. If your friend is joking or talking about suicide, giving possessions away, or saying goodbye, tell a trusted adult immediately. Your only responsibility at this point is to get your friend help, and get it fast. Even if you promised not to tell, your friend needs your help. It’s better to have a friend who is temporarily angry at you than one who is no longer alive.

HOW TO INCREASE YOUR MEMORY AND                                BRAIN POWER

                     

Don't you wish you had more control over your brain?

There are a number of different ways to improve your brain power, especially if you're willing to do some things consistently over a longer period of time. Let's explore eight ways that you can support your brain health.

 Exercise.

We all know that we should be getting regular exercise. However, most entrepreneur lead busy, rushed lives, and can't always find the time to fit physical activity in. The trick might be to think of it in reverse: you can't afford not to exercise if you want to live a long, healthy, productive life.

Exercise not only benefits your brain health and cognition, it can also improve your memory. In the long run, it can even protect your brain against degeneration.

Meditate.

Meditation is a trending topic among many entrepreneurs right now, and its benefits are hard to argue with. Not only does meditation reduce your stress levels, it can also prevent age-related disorders such as Alzheimer's or dementia.

This speaks to the importance of self-care. Taking a mere 10 to 15 minutes out of your day to practice meditation could extend your cognitive longevity and allow you to reduce your overall stress levels too.

Sleep well.

This can be another tricky area for entrepreneurs. Early mornings and late nights sometimes come with the territory, and the stresses or excitement that come with building and growing a business can have undesirable effects on sleep patterns.

Sleep is required to consolidate memory and learning. If you don't get enough sleep, your gray-matter volume in your frontal lobe may begin to decrease. Your frontal lobe supports and controls your working memory as well as executive function, making it particularly important.

Vitamin D

Activated vitamin D receptors increase nerve growth in your brain, and researchers have also located metabolic pathways for vitamin D in the hippocampus and cerebellum of the brain, areas that are involved in planning, processing of information, and the formation of new memories.Appropriate sun exposure is all it takes to keep your levels where they need to be for healthy brain function. If this is not an option, a safe tanning bed is the next best alternative, followed by a vitamin D3 supplement.

Be curious

Instead of taking everything at face value, get into the habit of questioning everyday things/products, services that you come into contact with. By being ‘curious’ and questioning everything, you force your brain to innovate & create new ideas. Curiosity may have killed that cat, more importantly it created super important things like electricity and computers!

Read a book

Reading relieves tension & stress (brain-cell killers) because it’s a form of escapism. Research has also shown that using your imagination is a great way to train your brain because you force your mind to ‘picture’ what you are imagining. Reading is a great way to trigger your imagination!

 Challenge Your Mind

One of the simplest methods to boost your brain function is to keep on learning. The size and structure of neurons and the connections between them actually change as you learn. This can take on many forms above and beyond book learning to include activities like traveling, learning to play a musical instrument or speak a foreign language, or participating in social and community activities.

Another important method? Brain aerobics. As with learning, challenging your brain with mind-training exercises can keep your brain fit as you age. This can be something as simple as thinking of famous people whose first names begin with the letter A, doing crossword puzzles or playing board games that get you thinking. Research has even shown that surfing the Web activates regions in your brain related to decision-making and complex reasoning.

 Do something new

When you experience something ‘new’ that actually ‘stimulate’ your brain! Don’t get stuck in a rut doing the same old things – the only way to change the structure of your brain is to do something new. This creates new neural pathways, increasing your intelligence level. You could take a new route to work, try a new recipe for dinner, or even a new form of exercise – mix them up!

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